Balancing puzzle device

ABSTRACT

A puzzle game of the type wherein balancing members are to be stacked in vertical tandem orientation from a base and include outwardly extending arms having weight-receiving trays at the ends thereof with weight members of different weights for deposit on the trays to balance the vertically oriented assembly of the members. The weight members are variously of different sizes and correspondingly different weights, and of the same size but of different weights.

United States Patent lnventors Howard J. Morrison Highland Park;Marvin 1. Glass, Chicago, both of 111. Appl. No. 61,714 Filed Aug. 6,1970 Patented Oct. 19, 1971 Assignee Marvin Glass & Associates BALANCINGPUZZLE DEVICE 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

(1.8. CI 273/156, 273/1 R, 46/131 Int. Cl ..A63h 13/12, A63f 9/06 Fieldof Search 273/156, 1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,235,050 7/1917 Pajeau46/131 1,974,737 9/1934 Casteig.... 273]] R UX 2,190,800 2/1940 Murphy46/131 3,402,929 9/1968 Glass et a1 46/131 X Primary Examiner-Anton O.Oechsle Atrorneyl-lofgren, Wegner, Allen, Stellman & McCord ABSTRACT: Apuzzle game of the type wherein balancing members are to be stacked invertical tandem orientation from a base and include outwardly extendingarms having weightreceiving trays at the ends thereof with weightmembers of different weights for deposit on the trays to balance thevertically oriented assembly of the members. The weight members arevariously of different sizes and correspondingly different weights, andof the same size but of different weights.

BALANCING PUZZLE DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to puzzle-type amusement devices.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art There are many well-knownpuzzle-type games or amusement devices which require the interfitting orarrangements of parts to complete a solution. Some such amusement orpuzzletype devices are those wherein elements of the structure are builtone on top of the other, and in some cases, the elements must bebalanced, one relative to the other. However, with such games, oramusement devices, following the solution or completion of the puzzle,there is little further reward for the participant, except to view thecompleted project or the like.

This invention is directed toward meeting a need and desire in the artto provide a puzzle-type amusement device which is capable of givingfurther reward to the participant than the mere solution or completionof the puzzle, such as by providing subsequent independent movement ofthe elements thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed, in brief, to theprovision of an improved puzzle-type amusement device.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the inventionincludes the provision of a plurality of balancing members having apointed lower end and a concave recess in the upper end thereof. Thebalance members further have sockets at opposite sides thereof forremovably receiving sticklike link elements which support normallyhorizontally disposed trays at the outer ends thereof. The trays haverecesses for receiving weight members, preferably in the form of marblesor the like. The marbles are preferably of the same mass but ofdifferent size. A base is further provided including a pedestal portion,substantially frustoconical in configuration, and having a concaverecess at the upper end for receiving the lowermost balance member ofthe set. In addition, the pedestal portion serves a dual function ofbeing a cover for a container for storing the components.

In use, a participant may assemble the elements together and stack themin vertical orientation while depositing the weight members or marbleson the trays to maintain the desired balanced state, and when completed,the amusement device may be subject to movement such as by rotatingportions thereof while retaining a state of balance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anarrangement of the amusement device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged section view of a portion of the baseand one of the balancing members of the amusement device of thisinvention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section view taken along the line 3- 3 ofFlG. 2;and

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view of the weight holding tray and aportion of the supporting arm therefor of the amusement device of thisinvention.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The amusement device ofthis invention includes a generally cylindrical container 12 having ahollow interior 12a for receiving the components of the amusementdevice. A top 14 is provided for the container 12 and includes agenerally circular cylindrical flange 16 including upper portion andlower portion 16b which are disposed on opposite sides of a medial web18. A generally frustoconical pedestal 20 extends outwardly from oneside of medial web 18 and terminates in a concave recess 22 at the upperend thereof.

The amusement device further includes a plurality of balance members 24,preferably eight in number. Each balance member 24 preferably isprovided with a simulated head portion 26 at the upper end, a simulatedmedial body portion 27, and simulated opposed arms 28 and 30.Furthermore, the lower end 32 terminates in a tapered point 34 and theupper end or head 26 has a concave recess 36 therein of a size and shapeto receive the tapered portion 34 of the next vertically adjacentbalance member 24. The arms terminate in sleeve portions 38 and 40 of asize and shape to snugly receive link members or rods or stick elements42 which are preferably 16 in number. The sleeves 38 and 40 areangularly oriented relative to the body 27, so that when the balancemembers 24 are in their normal vertical orientation, as seen in theFIGS. 1 and 2, the links or rods 42 extend outwardly, as well asdownwardly, relative thereto.

At the opposite or outer ends, each of the links 42 supports one of atraylike weight holding panels or pallets 44, each of which is alsoprovided with an angularly oriented socket portion 44a for snuglyreceiving the links 42 so as to normally hold the trays or panels 44 ina generally horizontal disposition relative to the balance members 24when the balance members are in a normal upright orientation. Each ofthe panels 44 preferably includes a plurality of recesses or apertures46, preferably five in number, for receiving ball-like weight members ormarbles, generally indicated 48.

In the preferred embodiment there are three sizes of weight membersprovided, such as four large weight members 50, 12 medium weight members52, and six small weight members 54. Preferably, the weight members areof the same mass so that the different sizes afford weight members ofdifferent weight values. In addition, it is also desirable to provide afew, such as two, weight members 56, which may be the same size as anyone of the weight members 50, 52 or 54 but, of a different mass so as tobe of a different weight value than expected for that size.

In use, a participant initiates use of the amusement device by openingthe container 12, and dispensing the balance members 24, links or sticks42, pallets or trays 44 and weight members 48 therefrom. Assembly isthen initiated by assembling the links 42 to the arms 28 and 30 of eachof the balance members 24, by inserting the links 42 through the sleeves38 and 40. In addition, the links 42 are also inserted into sockets 44aof the trays 44. The first balance member 24 is deposited with thetapered point 34 in a concave recess 22 of pedestal 20 and a suitabledisposition of weight members is made on the tray 44 to maintain thefirst balance member 24 in a state of balance. The operation is repeatedfor the second vertically adjacent balance member and so on. However,during the course of vertical assembly of the amusement device it willbecome necessary, from time to time, to change the disposition of thebalance members 50, 52 and 54 on the already-assembled and previouslybalanced members. Thus, once the participant or user has completed theassembly and balance of about three or four such members in verticaltandem, it may be necessary, for the successful assembly and balance ofthe next or fifth set, to rearrange or rebalance some of the lowerassemblies. If the assembly is successful, the participant willultimately wind up with eight vertically superposed sets of balancemembers, with the entire assembly in the state of equilibrium. In such acondition the entire assembly, or portions thereof, is capable ofmovement, such as responsive to a breeze or the like, which will createa slow serpentine type of reaction in the vertically oriented balancemembers. In addition, each one of the balance members may beindependently rotated relative to the other, thereby affordingadditional amusement and entertainment value to the participant who hassuccessfully assembled and completed the puzzle.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in theart.

We claim:

1. A puzzle-type amusement device comprising: means defining a base; aplurality of balance members constructed and arranged for verticaltandem orientation relative to said base; a plurality of weight members;weight-holding means for each balance member including at least one linkelement havingan inner end connected to said balance members andextending outwardly therefrom, and an outer end including meansremovably supporting at least one weight member thereon; said weightmembers being of different weights for deposit on said weight supportingmeans to hold said balance members in an upright orientation relative tosaid base.

2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the balance members haveupper and lower ends with recessed portions in the upper ends thereofand a reduced tapered portion at the lower end thereof of a size andshape to be received in the recess of an adjacent balance member.

3. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein the base includes a pedestalportion having an upper end with a concave recess therein for receivingthe reduced lower portion of a vertically superposed balance member.

4. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the weightholding means foreach balance member includes two link elements connected to the balancemember at opposite sides thereof and extending downwardly, as well asoutwardly, therefrom with the outer ends each including saidweight-supporting means.

5. The amusement device of claim 4 wherein the weightsupporting meansare traylike members with recesses therein for receiving said weightmembers.

6. The amusement device of claim 5 wherein said link elements extenddownwardly and outwardly from said balance members in the normal uprightorientation of said balance members and, wherein said traylike membersare generally horizontally disposed at the lower end of said links insaid normal upright orientation of said balance members.

7. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the weight members includefirst ball-like elements of different sizes and generally the same mass.

8. The amusement device of claim 6 wherein the weight members furtherinclude other ball-like elements of different mass but, of substantiallythe same size as some of the first ball-like elements.

9. The amusement device of claim 6 wherein the balance members terminatein a tapered lower end and have a concave recess in the upper end.

10. The amusement device of claim 9 wherein the balance members includelink element receiving portions for releasably securing said linkelements to said balance members and wherein said weight-holding panelsand said links are provided with cooperatively engaging portions forreleasably connecting the panels to the link elements.

11. The amusement device of claim 10 wherein the base includes apedestal portion having an upper end with a concave recess therein forreceiving the reduced lower portion of a vertically superposed balancemember.

12. The amusement device of claim 11 wherein the base further includes acontainer having a hollow interior for receiving said puzzle elementsand wherein the pedestal portion comprises the cover for said container.

1. A puzzle-type amusement device comprising: means defining a base; aplurality of balance members constructed and arranged for verticaltandem orientation relative to said base; a plurality of weight members;weight-holding means for each balance member including at least one linkelement having an inner end connected to said balance members andextending outwardly therefrom, and an outer end including meansremovably supporting at least one weight member thereon; said weightmembers being of different weights for deposit on said weight supportingmeans to hold said balance members in an upright orientation relative tosaid base.
 2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the balancemembers have upper and lower ends with recessed portions in the upperends thereof and a reduced tapered portion at the lower end thereof of asize and shape to be received in the recess of an adjacent balancemember.
 3. The amusement device of claim 2 wherein the base includes apedestal portion having an upper end with a concave recess therein forreceiving the reduced lower portion of a vertically superposed balancemember.
 4. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the weight-holdingmeans for each balance member includes two link elements connected tothe balance member at opposite sides thereof and extending downwardly,as well as outwardly, therefrom with the outer ends each including saidweight-supporting means.
 5. The amusement device of claim 4 wherein theweight-supporting means are traylike members with recesses therein forreceiving said weight members.
 6. The amusement device of claim 5wherein said link elements extend downwardly and outwardly from saidbalance members in the normal upright orientation of said balancemembers and, wherein said traylike members are generally horizontallydisposed at the lower end of said links in said normal uprightorientation of said balance members.
 7. The amusement device of claim 1wherein the weight members include first ball-like elements of differentsizes and generally the same mass.
 8. The amusement device of claim 6wherein the weight members further include other ball-like elements ofdifferent mass but, of substantially the same size as some of the firstball-like elements.
 9. The amusement device of claim 6 wherein thebalance members terminate in a tapered lower end and have a concaverecess in the upper end.
 10. The amusement device of claim 9 wherein thebalance members include link element receiving portions for releasablysecuring said link elements to said balance members and wherein saidweight-holding panels and said links are provided with cooperativelyengaging portions for releasably connecting the panels to the linkelements.
 11. The amusement device of claim 10 whErein the base includesa pedestal portion having an upper end with a concave recess therein forreceiving the reduced lower portion of a vertically superposed balancemember.
 12. The amusement device of claim 11 wherein the base furtherincludes a container having a hollow interior for receiving said puzzleelements and wherein the pedestal portion comprises the cover for saidcontainer.